Coin checking mechanism

ABSTRACT

A coin-checking mechanism incorporated in a coin-controlled vending machine and having a rotary carrier with a gauging slide thereon for receiving coins and moving the same along a cam which displaces the coin and the slide radially according to the coin diameter; an actuating lever displaced with the slide and carrying a tab along spaced gauging tracks into which the tab is movable when aligned therewith; a magnet carried on a rocker for movement toward a slug on the slide; and a feeler on a second rocker moved toward the coin on the slide; each rocker having a blocking element which prevents movement of the actuating tab into an aligned track when a washer or a magnetic slug is sensed. Also included in an inertia-operated element for interlocking with the housing in response to excessively rapid motion of the carrier.

ited States Patent COIN Cmvrkazun DEV/C5 2,302,648 11/1942 Wiggins 194/(Retard) Primary Examiner-Samuel F. Coleman Attorney-Fulwider, Patton, Rieber, Lee & Utecht ABSTRACT: A coin-checking mechanism incorporated in a coin-control1ed vending machine and having a rotary carrier with a gauging slide thereon for receiving coins and moving the same along a cam which displaces the coin and the slide radially according to the coin diameter; an actuating lever displaced with the slide and carrying a tab along spaced gauging tracks into which the tab is movable when aligned therewith; a magnet carried on a rocker for movement toward a slug on the slide; and a feeler on a second rocker moved toward the coin on the slide; each rocker having a blocking element which prevents movement of the actuating tab into an aligned track when a washer or a magnetic slug is sensed. Also included in an inertia-operated element for interlocking with the housing in response to excessively rapid motion of the carrier.

PATENIEI] m1 s :91:

SHEEI 2 OF 5 PATENTED NARI 6197i SHEET 3 [IF 5 INVENI'OR. MANUEL dike/4 1052 oQ/d/nd COIN CHECKING MECHANISM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a mechanism for inspecting coins for activating a coin-controlled device, and has particular reference to the detection of slugs in a coin-operated vending machine, parking meter or the like, so that the product of the vending machine will not be dispensed or time will not be recorded on the parking meter.

Various types of slugs are used in such coin-operated devices, perhaps the simplest form being washers that have outside diameters very close to the diameters of different denominations of coins. Another common form is a simple disc of the proper size that is stamped out of relatively inexpensive metal, usually a ferromagnetic material. Slugs also are fabricated out of other materials, of course, in sizes that are fairly close approximations of legitimate coins.

Some relatively expensive vending machines are equipped with sophisticated slug-detecting devices that check coins thoroughly in various ways, often using electronic components that are relatively complex, expensive and space-consuming. In many instances, however, the circumstances neither warrant nor permit the expense, complexity or size of such devices, and the vendor simply runs the risk and takes the loss resulting from the use of slugs. The parking meter is a prime example of this, cost and compactness being too important to make the use of sophisticated devices practical.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The general object of the present invention is to provide a relatively simple, inexpensive and compact coin-checking mechanism adapted for incorporation in parking meters, vending machines, and like coin-controlled devices, and capable of effectively checking each coin for key indicia of validity and preventing actuation of the device by slugs, whether of the washer type, the ferromagnetic disc type, or other discs having approximately the size of legitimate coins. Another object is to provide such a coin-checking device which will accept and inspect coins of various denominations (e.g., all coins from one cent to twenty-five cents), and which completes the inspection operation entirely by mechanical means, rapidly, and in response to movement of the usual operator such as the turning of the knob of a parking meter. Another object is to prevent movement of the operator so rapidly as to permit a sing to pass inspection simply because the mechanism cannot react within the time available.

More specifically, the preferred embodiment shown herein has a rotary carrier for receiving each coin and carrying the same along a selected path, a size-gauging mechanism for displacing a slide along the carrier in accordance with the diameter of the coin through at least one precisely located detecting position corresponding to the proper diameter, a detector for magnetic material including a movable magnet operating a blocking element when a ferromagnetic slug is detected, a hole-detecting feeler for insertion on the central opening of a washer and also operating a blocking element when a washer is detected, and an inertia-operated safety device preventing excessively rapid operation of the device, all of these elements being incorporated in a compact and simple assembly and actuated completely in a mechanical manner to perform the full inspection, and the rejection in appropriate cases, in response to a very short motion of the carrier in an inspecting range of motion.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken in a vertical plane through a representative coin-controlled device equipped with a coin-checking mechanism embodying the novel features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a representative environment for the device of FIG. I shown on a reduced scale with the main internal components indicated in broken lines.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. I, and showing the coinchecking mechanism from one side with the carrier in the start position.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken longitudinally of the carrier in a plane perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 3 and showing the upper or outer end portion of the mechanism carrying a washer-type slug in the inspecting range.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing a solid coin, the position of the magnet being indicated in phantom.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing a solid coin, the position of the magnet being indicated in phantom.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the coing'auging slide and related parts, with indications of the initial positions of various diameters of coins in the slide. FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view of the slide alone.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 5 with the parts in moved positions indicating the presence of an off-size slug on the slide, the slug being slightly larger than a dime.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross section taken substantially along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 9 illustrating the action of the hole-detecting element when a washer is on the carrier.

FIG. 12 is a cross section taken substantially along the line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. II illustrating the action of the magnetic detection elements when a slug of magnetic material is on the carrier.

FIG. 14 is a cross section taken substantially along the line 14-14 ofFlG. I3.

FIG. I5 is a view similar to FIG. 8 illustrating the insertion of a dime in the device and showing the initial position of the dime on the carrier.

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15 with the carrier moved through the detecting range to the actuating position with the dime.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 3 with the carrier moved to the final position prior to being returned to the start position.

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the carrier and the main parts thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the invention is embodied in a mechanism 10 for checking or inspecting coins inserted through a coin opening 11 in a cabinet 12 (FIG. 2) housing a coin-controlled device 13 (FIG. 1) for dispensing a product from a storage container 14 through a chute 15 to a door 17 in return for a stated price in coins. While this is the illustrative environment, it will be apparent from the following that the coin-checking device also is specifically designed for incorporation in a parking meter, a representative meter being shown in Pat. No. 3,358,803 to which reference is made for details of construction and operation and from which the manner of incorporation of the present invention will be evident to those skilled in the art.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that the coin-checking mechanism 10 and the controlled device 13 are enclosed in a boxlike housing 18 mounted on the front wall of the cabinet 12 beside a coin receptacle 19, with an actuating switch pack 20 disposed between the checking mechanism I0 and the controlled device 13 for engagement with an actuating element ll of the checking mechanism when a good coin is received, the switch being connected to the controlled device by leads 22 for transmitting the actuating signal or signals thereto. An additional lead 23 (FIG. 2) connects the controlled device to the dispensing container to activate the dispensing mechanism (not shown) thereof when the proper price has been received.

Coins inserted through the opening 11, which herein is a slot in the front of the housing 18, are received on the adjacent end portion of a carrier 24 mounted within the housing for movement along a predetermined path by an operator 25 accessible from outside the cabinet 12, the initial portion of the motion of the carrier being used to inspect the coin, and the remainder to actuate the controlled device 13. If the coin is good, the actuating element 21 is positioned in an active position to engage an operator 2730 of the switch pack and thereby signal the controlled device to dispense the product. If, on the other hand, the coin is determined to be a slug, the checking mechanism holds the actuating element out of the active position to bypass the switch operators 27-30 and avoid delivering the product for the slug. Then the mechanism either returns the bad coin to the owner or delivers the slug to the coin receptacle 19 to take it out of circulation.

in accordance with the present invention, the checking mechanism 10 is of relatively simple, compact and inexpensive construction and is capable of inspecting coins for as many as three key indicia of validity, namely, size, the presence of magnetic material, and the presence of a central hole, and accomplishes the foregoing rapidly and entirely mechanically during a relatively short range of initial motion of the carrier 24. Moreover, the invention includes the provision of means for preventing movement of the operator so rapidly as to pass a slug through the inspection range before the mechanism can react to its presence, and has the capability of accepting a plurality of different sizes of coins while rejecting slugs falling between or outside the different sizes for which the mechanism is programmed, thereby making it possible to use a single checking mechanism in a device actuated, for example, by any coin having a value of one cent, five cents, ten cents or twenty-five cents, or by any combination of such coins.

To the foregoing ends, the checking mechanism 10 has a gauging slide 31 formed with a seat 32 positioned to receive coins through the coin slot 11 when the carrier 24 is in its normal, start position, means for displacing the slide along the carrier according to the diameter of the coin during movement of the carrier through the inspecting range, and means responsive to the amount of such displacement to move the actuating element 21 into an active position if the coin has a diameter for which the device is programmed. At the same time, a feeler 33 on one side of the slide is pressed against the central portion of the coin to sense whether it is a washer, and the coin is passed through the field of a permanent magnet 34 that is attracted to magnetic material. Both the feeler and the magnet are mounted for special motion to signal the sensed presence of a slug, and the signaling motion is used to prevent movement of the actuating element 21 into an active position. To prevent excessively rapid operation, a unique and very simple inertia-actuated device 35 locks the carrier 24 automatically to the housing 18 in response to any attempt to exceed a moderate rate of operation, and unlocks the carrier automatically when the excessive rate is reduced.

While the carrier 24 may take various forms, including a member supported for straight-line motion, the preferred form illustrated herein has a rotary carrier which is considered to be the most compact form and particularly well suited for use in coin-controlled devices having operators similar to the knob 25, and also for use with a clock mechanism of the type set by rotary motion of the operator, as shown and described in the aforesaid patent. In this instance, the carrier comprises an elongated and generally flat rectangular body 37, shown most clearly in FIG. 18, with a stud 38 fastened to the front edge of the body and projecting through a bore 39 in the front wall of the housing 18. The operator 25 is held on the front end portion of the stud by a setscrew 40 and a snap ring 41 F IG. 1), and cooperates with a cylindrical enlargement 42 on the stud, inside a cylindrical recess 43, to locate the carrier for rotation about the axis of the stud in closely spaced relation with the inside of the housing wall. The carrier body 37 preferably is in a vertical plane perpendicular to the housing wall when the carrier is in its start position.

Along the rear or inner edge (see FIG. 18) of the carrier body 37 is a perpendicular flange 44 formed with vertically spaced positioning tabs 45 and with an offset, reversely hooked abutment 47 adjacent the upper end of the carrier. Along the front edge of the body is a second flange 48 that rotates within the recess 43 and has enlarged ends 49 and rearwardly facing sides 50 cooperating with the rear flange 44 to define an open-sided slideway extending longitudinally of the body on the right side thereof. The flanges and the elements thereon also provide the base of support for the actuating element 21, the coin-gauging slide 31, and the permanent magnet 34.

With further reverence to FIG. 18, it will be seen that the actuating element 21 is a lug projecting rearwardly from one leg 51 of an actuating lever 52 having the general shape of a reversed lower case letter h," this lever being fitted against the right side of the carrier body 37 with the actuating lug 21 projecting rearwardly from the lower, rear leg 51 of the lever. A sizing tab 53 projects forwardly toward the front wall of the housing 18 from the upper leg 54 of the lever, which is mounted flush with a raised surface 55 integral with the carrier body. The slide 31, which is an elongated plate with the spe cially shaped, coin-gauging seat 32 (herein a contoured notch) in its upper end, is positioned against the flush surface 55 in overlying relation with the actuating lever, the latter being pivotally connected to the slide plate by a projection 57 on the front edge carrying right-angle tab 58 which fits into a notch 59 defined between two lugs 60 on the front edge of the slide plate. The lever is urged in a generally clockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 18) about the pivot tab 58 by a spring arm 61 having a hooked end 62 seated in one end portion of a shaped slot 63 in the slide plate 31, the other end of the spring arm extending under a tab 64 bent over the spring from the central portion of the actuating lever 52. The spring thus urges the sizing tab 53 on the upper end of the actuating lever against the inner side of the front housing wall.

To complete the slide and actuating assembly, a cover plate 65 is fitted against the slide plate 31 with a tab 67 on the upper end of the cover plate beneath the hooked abutment 47 of the carrier body 37, and with notches 68 in the inner edge of the cover plate interfitting with the tabs 45 on the carrier flange 44. An elongated tab 69 on the front edge of the cover plate fits into a seat 70 defined between the enlargements 49 on the front flange 48 of the body, and thus holds the cover plate fixed longitudinally of the carrier. The body tabs 45 may be staked over for permanent assembly, or a retainer (not shown) may be fastened to the enlargements over the front tab 69.

To hold the slide plate 31 normally in the raised, receiving position, a coiled extension spring 71 is stretched between a tab 72 near the upper end of the carrier body 37 and a similar tab 73 on the lower end of the slide plate, and an upwardly facing shoulder 74 on the rear edge of the slide plate opposes a shoulder 75 on the lower end of the lower carrier flange 44 to form a stop for limiting upward motion of the slide relative to the carrier. Thus, the spring is stressed to raise the slide plate along the carrier body until the shoulder 74 abuts against the shoulder 75, and then holds the slide plate in the receiving position with the notch 32 at the upper end of the carrier ready to receive a coin. The tab 21 abuts against the shoulder 75 to hold the gauging tab 53 away from the housing.

With the foregoing arrangement, it will be seen that the slide plate 31 and the actuating lever 52 are rotatable with the carrier 24 and movable up and down relative to the carrier body 37 between the latter and the cover plate 65. in addition, the upper edges of the cover plate and the carrier body are spaced apart far enough to receive a coin between them and guide the coin into the notch 32, as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, 8 and 15. A flat spring 77 is coiled around the cylindrical enlargement 42 of the stud 38 and anchored at its ends on pins 78 and 79, as shown most clearly in FIGS. 1 and 3, thereby urging the carrier 24 clockwise (FIG. 3) about the axis of the stud. A post 80 depending from an overhanging bracket 81 on the housing 18 abuts against the upper end of the carrier body to hold the carrier in its start position with the gauging notch directly beneath the coin slot 11 to receive coins therefrom.

After a coin is inserted edgewise through the slot Ill and is received on the upper end of the carrier 24;, the knob 25 and the carrier are turned counterclockwise (see FIG. 3) to pass the coin sideways through the inspecting range, which herein extends from the start position of the carrier to the upper ends of a series of coaxial tracks in the form of grooves 82-85 formed in the front wall of the housing, the ends being angularly aligned and constituting the beginning of the actuating range of carrier motion. Beginning above the upper end of the carrier just beyond the coin slot 11 is a cam 87 which is inclined radially inwardly relative to the path of the coin and is positioned to engage the projecting outer edge portion of the coin in the inspecting range to press the coin (and thus the upper end of the slide plate) radially inwardly relative to the carrier. The amount of inward movement of the slide plate, of course, will depend upon the distance a given coin projects out of the gauging notch 32, and the distance will vary with the diameter of the coin. It should be noted that the pivot 58 of the actuating lever 52 moves a corresponding distance, pulling the sizing tab 53 on the upper leg 54 along the inner side of the front housing wall into alignment with the grooved portion of the wall.

If the sizing tab 53 is radially aligned with one of the tracks 82-85 as the tab passes the upper ends of the tracks, the spring 61 will rock the actuating lever toward the front wall to move the tab into the aligned track, such rocking of the tab and the actuating lever indicating that the coin is of a proper size for actuation of the coin-controlled device 13. This rocking of the actuating lever swings the actuating lug 21 rearwardly from the inactive position (see FIG. 15) to an active position (see FIG. 16) in alignment with one of the switch operators 27-30. If, on the other hand, the sizing tab 53 is misaligned with the tracks, it rides along one of the arcuate separating bars 88 between the grooves and prevents rocking of the lever and the actuating lug to the active position.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the configuration of the gauging notch 32 for positioning coins of different acceptable sizes and ultimately determining the proper radial spacing for the track grooves 82-85. It will be evident that the widths of the tab 53 and the tracks may be correlated to require rather precise alignment of the sizing tab with a track before a coin will be accepted. The diametersof certain coins, however, specifically pennies and dimes, are quite close together. For this reason, the gauging notch 32 is formed with different sets of opposed gauging surfaces on its sidewalls for holding coins that are similar in size in materially different positions than would be obtained with a simple V- shaped notch, thus producing exaggerated and controlled steps in the positions of the sizing tab for different acceptable sizes.

in the illustrative slide plate 31, which is designed for coins of one-cent, five-cent, ten-cent and twenty-five-cent denominations, the first set of gauging surfaces is a pair of shoulders 89 for engaging nickels and quarters and the second set is a pair of more closely spaced shoulders 90 for engaging pennies, the second set of shoulders being formed farther into the notch. Still farther into the notch and more closely spaced is a pair of shoulders 91 for engaging dimes. The result with respect to the positioning of the outer edges of the coins is clearly illustrated in FIG. 6, wherein it will be seen that there are substantially equal increments between successive coin sizes. Thus, the tracks may be set up with separating bars 88 of substantially equal widths (e.g., three-sixteenth of an inch) between adjacent racks, the outer track 82 being the dime track, the next 83 the penny track, the next 84 the nickel track, and the inner track 85 the quarter track. It has been found with this sizing mechanism that coins as close as 0.015 of an inch to an acceptable size, either over or under, will be rejected, and in some instances the sensitivity is even greater. It should be noted, however, that flat or rounded shoulders should be used for coins having serrated edges, while sharp shoulders are suitable for smooth-edged coins.

Of course, proper size alone is not an indication that a coin is good. Some slugs are carefully fabricated with outside diameters that will satisfy the gauging device by pushing the slide 31 down to a position in which the sizing tab 53 is aligned with one of the tracks 82-85. Many such slugs, however, are washers having center holes as indicated at 92 in FIGS. 4 and 11. The feeler 33 detects theseslugs automatically while the sizing mechanism is checking the diameter.

This is accomplished by pressing the feeler 33 against the central portion of each coin and, if the feeler moves into or through the coin, preventing rocking movement of the actuating lever 52 that would move the actuating lug 21 into an active position. Specifically, the feeler is on the upper end of an elongated rocker 93 disposed on the left side of the carrier 24, as viewed in FIGS. 9, 11 and 18, and is pivotally supported between its ends for rocking of the upper end portion toward and away from the side of the carrier. The pivot of the rocker plate is formed by a cradle 94 (shown dotted in FIG. 18) fast on the side of the carrier body 37 and having notches opening toward each other and loosely receiving the rocker plate at notched portions 95 of the edges shown most clearly in FIG. 18. A generally U-shaped spring 97 is fitted against the left side. of the rocker plate 93 with bends 98 disposed in the cradle notches, the opposite end portions of the spring being inclined relative to each other and stressed to urge the upper end portions of the spring and the rocker clockwise (FIGS. 9 and 1 1) toward the carrier.

The feeler 33 is simply an integral. prong bent at ninety degrees with the upper end of the rocker plate 93 to extend toward the carrier body 37 in alignment with a hole 99 therein opening toward the position of the central portion of a coin held in the gauging notch 32. To hold the feeler away from the notch during insertion of coins, a follower pin 100 in the form of a second 90 prong on the rocker plate extends toward the carrier body between the feeler and the cradle 94 and projects through a hole 101 in the carrier body into engagement with a bearing surface 102 on the adjacent side of the slide plate 31. This surface cooperates with the follower pin 100 in holding the feeler in the retracted position when the slide plate 31 is in the raised, receiving position (FIG. 9), and has a fall or drop at 103 permitting the follower pin, and thus the feeler, to move clockwise (to the right in FIG. 11) as the slide plate moves radially inwardly with a coin in the gauging notch.

Accordingly, the inner edge portion of each coin passes the feeler 33 before the latter is pressed by the spring 97 toward the center of the coin, and, if there is a hole 92 in the coin, the feeler moves into the hole and beyond the adjacent side of the coin. The resulting clockwise rocking motion of the rocker plate 93 shifts a right-angle blocking leg 104 on the lower end of the rocker plate from the normal position, shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, to the blocking position shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, thereby moving a notch 105 in the blocking leg out of alignment with the lower end portion of the actuating lever 52.

It will be seen in FlG. 10 that the position of this notch 105 is such that the actuating lever 52 will enter the notch during the lateral swinging of the lever that takes place as the sizing tab 53 enters one of the gauging tracks 02-85. Thus, when the rocker plate 93 is in its normal position indicating that the coin is not into an aligned track. If, however, the rocker plate has been rocked to the position in FIGS. 11 and i2 as a result of sensing the presence of a hole 92, the notch 105 in the blocking leg 104 is out of alignment with the actuating lever 52 and thus blocks swinging of the lever to move the tab into a track. This, of course, prevents movement of the actuating lug 21 into an active position.

The inspection for content of magnetic material, specifically iron, is performed by the permanent magnet as in a similar manner. Herein, the magnet is disposed on the right side of the carrier body 37 beside a group of perforations 107 in the upper end portion of the cover plate 65 and opposite the feeler 33, the cover plate 65 being composed of nonmagnetic material as are the other components on the carrier. Supporting the magnet for movement toward and away from the perforations is a second rocker plate 108 having the magnet bonded to its upper end portion and pivotally supported between its ends on a cradle formed by notched lugs 109 bent out of the cover plate, the rocker plate 108 having notches 110 interfitting loosely with the cradle notches. A generally U- shaped spring 111 fitted against the right side of the rocker plate has bends 112 received in the cradle notches and is stressed to urge the rocker plate clockwise about its pivot, thereby holding the magnet yieldably away from the cover plate with a tab 113 near the lower end of the rocker plate abutting against the lower end portion of the slide plate.

In this position of the magnet 34 and its rocker plate 108, a notch 114 (FIGS. 12, 14 and 18) in a blocking leg 115 projecting laterally from the lower end of the rocker plate is aligned with the actuating lever 52 (see FIG. to permit swinging of the sizing tab 53 into an aligned track 82-85 and accompanying movement of the actuating lug 21 into the active position (assuming, of course, that the notch 105 in the feeler rocker plate 93 also is aligned with the actuating lever). If a coin 117 composed of magnetic material is inserted in the gauging notch 32, however, the magnet 34 is attracted to the coin, as a result of the magnetic flux field created through the perforations 107 and the coin, and the attractive force rocks the upper end portion of the rocker plate 108 counterclockwise toward the coin (FIG. 13) to rock the lower end portion away from the carrier and shift the notch 114 out of alignment with the actuating lever 52. Thus, the leg 115 blocks movement of the actuating lug 21 to an active position when a magnetic slug is in the gauging notch.

Since the detecting elements are entirely mechanical, a certain reaction time is required for the sizing tab 53 to pass across the level of certain of the tracks 8285, and also for the clocking legs 104 and 115 controlled by the feeler 33 and the magnet 3d to move from the normal positions to the blocking positions. To prevent excessively rapid operation of the mechanism that might permit a bad coin to pass before the detecting elements can react, and also to prevent abuse of the mechanism, the inertia element 35 cooperates with a lockout element 118 on the housing 18 to become interlocked in response to movement of the carrier 24 in the inspection range at a rate greater than a satisfactory rate for operation of the mechanism.

As shown most clearly in FIGS. 3 and 18, the inertia element 35 is a sheet metal stamping disposed on the left side of the carrier body 37 near the top thereof and having a central cutout portion 119 (FIG. 18) fitted over a horizontal bar 1211 (FIG. 3) that is part-cylindrical in shape and preferably is formed integrally with the carrier body. This bar has a horizontal center hole in which a retaining clip 121 is inserted, in front of the stamping, which thus is held loosely on the carrier with a depending lug 122 abutting against the carrier and with an upwardly extending tooth 123 leaning forward from the carrier, in the sense of its direction of motion during inspection of a coin. An elongated tab 124 on the opposite end of the element tilts the element forwardly into this position under the force exerted by gravity.

Closely adjacent the arcuate path followed by the tooth 123 is an arcuate, toothed track constituting lockout element 118, which is formed on the housing 18 and is spaced outwardly from he cam 87 to overlie the tooth 123. When the inertia element 35 is in the position shown in FIG. 3, the tooth passes freely along the toothed track and does not interfere with normal operation of the mechanism. If the operator is turned or spun with excessive speed, however, the inertia of the element overcomes the forces holding it in the forwardly tilted position and immediately rocks the element clockwise about the supporting bar 120.

When this occurs, the arc of movement of the tip of the tooth 123 carries the latter into engagement with one of the teeth on the overlying track 118, locking the carrier 24 immediately against further forward movement. If the turning pressure is relieved,the inertia element returns to its normal, disengaged position and thereafter permits motion of the carrier at a moderate rate, but remains ready to reengage the toothed track if the carrier is accelerated. After the inspection of a coin is completed, no harm will come from rapid operation, so the toothed track herein terminates just beyond the upper ends of the gauging tracks 82-85.

In this instance, the coin-checking mechanism also includes a ratchet for preventing return movement of the carrier 24 after a coin has passed the end of the inspection range, that is, after the sizing tab 53 passes the upper ends of the tracks 82- -85. Herein, the ratchet comprises an arm 125 pivoted on a pin 127 projecting away from the lower end portion of the carrier (on the left side as viewed in FIG. 18) and having an outer end 128 that rides along a second toothed track 129 coaxial with the carrier 24 and formed on the housing 18 around the inner end of the recess 43. A spring 130 urges the arm toward the track, and a finger 131 on the outer edge of the slide plate 31 engages the underside of the arm to disengage the ratchet when the slide plate is in its coin-receiving position, but

releases the arm to the action of the spring during the initial motion of the slide. Thus, the arm engages the ratchet track and prevents return motion of the carrier 24 after the coin has been carried through the inspection range and past the upper ends of the gauging tracks 82-85. To avoid a double lock between the inertia element 35 and the ratchet, the inertia track 118 ends before the ratchet track 129 begins.

It will be seen that a coin in the gauging notch 32 rides along the cam 87 through the full cycle or stroke of the carrier, and that the continuing portion: 87a of the cam beyond the beginning of the gauging tracks is arcuate and coaxial with the carrier. As the coin passes the lower end 871) of the cam (see FIG. 17) the slide plate 31 is released to the action of its spring 71, which thus ejects the coin with a snap action into the coin receptacle 19. Slugs may be delivered to the coin receptacle with the good coins, to take them out of circulation. As an alternative, slugs can be returned through a bad coin chute (not shown) under the control of the actuating lug 21, when the latter is in its inactive position near the end of the cycle.

The post on the housing 13 (see FIG. 17) engages the leading side of the carrier 24 after the coin has passed the end 87b of the cam 87, thus constituting a stop for limiting turning of the carrier after the coin is discharged. A pin 132 ahead of the stop post 80 is disposed in the path of a tab 133 on the magnet rocker plate 108 to shift the latter away from the cover plate 65 as the carrier approaches the stop post, thereby insuring that the magnet 34 will release a slug to permit the slide to eject it. The ratchet arm is disengaged by the release of the slide plate 31, so the carrier spring 77 returns the carrier to its start position when the operator 25 is released.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides a compact, relatively simple and inexpensive and yet very effective coin-checking mechanism 10 that inspects each coin inserted in the mechanism for the three key indicia of validity, and accomplishes the inspection rapidly in a relatively small amount of motion of the coin carrier 24. In addition, relatively simple and rapid motions controlled by the inspecting elements effectively prevent actuation of the controlled device 13 by a bad coin, and the simple inertia device prevents excessively fast operation.

Of course, the checking mechanism has been designed for inclusion of all three types of inspection and the inertia device for optimum performance in service use. It will be apparent, however, that removal of one or more of the important elements does not affect the operation of the remaining elements, so parts of the mechanism may be used separately if the circumstances permit elimination of one or more of the inspections. Similarly, the gauging notch 32 designed for optimum performance with a range of definite coin sizes may be it also will be apparent from the foregoing that, while a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, and specific uses have been suggested, various modifications and other uses may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

lclaim: l. A coin-checking mechanism having an opening for receiving coins for actuating a coin-controlled device, said mechanism having, in combination:

a housing;

a carrier mounted on said housing for rotation about a preselected axis from a startposition through a range of inspecting motion and an actuating position at the end of said range;

a slide mounted on said carrier and guided thereon for movement of one end thereof from a receiving position radially inwardly through a plurality of different gauging positions, and having a seat in said one end for holding coins of different diameters with the outer edges of the coins in different radial positions;

means holding said slide yieldably in said receiving position;

a cam on said housing extending along the path of said one end in spaced relation with said seat and inclined toward the path to engage the coins and force the same radially inwardly to displace the slide a distance correlated with the size of the coin in the seat;

an actuating lever pivotally mounted on said slide for displacement therewith and for rocking relative to the slide between first and second positions;

gauging means having a plurality of gauging recesses which are disposed beside said path at the end of said inspecting range and are radially spaced according to the different positions of said slide with coins of different selected diameters;

a gauging element on said lever radially aligned with one of said gauging recesses when said slide is displaced by a coin of one of said selected diameters;

a spring urging said lever in a direction to insert said gauging element in an aligned recess; 7

an actuating element on said lever rocking between inactive and active positions as said lever rocks between said first and second positions;

a feeler mounted on said carrier for movement into said seat to detect a coin having a center hole;

means for pressing said feeler toward said seat as said carrier moves through said inspecting range;

a magnet mounted on said carrier for movement toward and away from said seat to detect a coin having magnetic material; v

means yieldably holding said magnet away from said seat;

and

means responsive to movement of either said magnet or said feeler toward said seat to prevent movement of said lever including means for locking said carrier to said housing automatically in response to turning of said carrier in said inspecting range at a rate greater than a preselected rate.

3. In a coin-checking mechanism having an opening for receiving coins for actuating a coin-controlled device, the combination of:

a housing;

a carrier mounted on said housing for rotation about a preselected axis from a start position through a range of inspecting motion and an actuating position and then back to said start position, said carrier having a body with one side movable broadwise during rotation of the carrier about said axis and with an outer end of said one side adjacent said opening when the carrier is in said start position;

a slide plate disposed againstsaid one side and guided for movement along said body radially inwardly from a receiving position in which one edge of the slide plate is adjacent said outer end, said slide plate being wider than the coins to be checked and being movable broadwise with said carrier about said axis;

means defining a generally U-shaped contoured notch in said slide plate opening through said one edge and toward said coin-receiving opening, said notch having sidewalls formed with a plurality of pairs of laterally spaced, opposed gauging shoulders spaced different distances into the notch, said pairs of shoulders being positioned to engage given denominations of coins and support coins of the given denominations with the outer edges thereof in different preselected positions relative to said one edge of said slide plate;

means yieldably holding said slide plate in said receiving position and permitting the slide plate to move radially inwardly along said carrier;

means for rotating said carrier about said axis after insertion of a coin in said notch;

a cam on said housing extending along the path followed by said one edge and inclined radially inwardly relative to said path to engage the outer edge of a coin in said notch and force the coin and said slide radially inwardly a distance determined by the position of the outer edge, said cam extending at least to said actuating position to hold said coin in said notch through said inspecting range and said actuating position;

an actuating element movably mounted on said slide;

actuating means responsive to the position of said slide to move said actuating element into one of a plurality of different active positions when said slide is spaced by one of a plurality of preselected distances from said receiving position at the end of said inspecting range; and

means maintaining said actuating element out of said active positions when the slide is spaced any other distance from said receiving position thereby to prevent actuation ofsaid device by coins having other than one of said preselected diameters.

4. A coimchecking mechanism as defined in claim 3 further including a feeler disposed alongside a first side of said body and extending toward the position of a coin in said notch, a support mounting said feeler on said body for rotation therewith and for movement toward the side of the coin, means for urging the feeler into pressing engagement with the central portion of the coin during movement of said carrier through said range, and means responsive to movement of the feeler into a coin to prevent movement of said actuating element to said active position.

5. A coin-checking mechanism as defined in claim 4 further including a magnet disposed on the opposite side of said body from said feeler means supporting said magnet for rotation with said body and for movement toward the body and for movement toward the body in response to the presence of an object of magnetic material in said notch, means yieldably holding said magnet away from the body, and means responsive to movement of the magnet toward the body to prevent movement of said actuating element to said active position.

6. A coin-checking mechanism as defined in claim 3 further including an holdout element pivotably supported on said carrier for rocking between outwardly extended and inwardly retracted positions, and a toothed track on said housing extending along the path of said holdout element in said range, said holdout being balanced to remain in said inwardly ill retracted position but to rock automatically to said outwardly extended position and lock against said track in response to rotation of said carrier at a rate higher than a preselected rate.

7; In a coin-checking mechanism having an opening for receiving coins for actuating a coin-controlled device, the combination of:

a housing;

a carrier mounted on said housing for rotation about a preselected axis from a start position through a range of inspecting motion and an actuating position at the end of said range;

a gauging slide mounted on one side of said carrier for rotary movement therewith and for sliding longitudinally of the carrier, said slide having one end movable radially inwardly from a receiving position through at least one gauging position, and having means on said one end for receiving coins and supporting coins of different sizes with-the outer ends thereof in different radial positions when said slide is in said receiving position;

means holding said slide yieldably in said receiving position;

a cam on said housing for engaging a coin on said slide and forcing the same radially inwardly to displace the slide a distance determined by the diameter of the coin as said carrier is rotated through said inspecting range;

a gauging element on said carrier displaced inwardly with said slide;

gauging means in said housing aligned with said gauging element only when said slide is displaced a preselected distance indicating that the coin is of a preselected diameter;

means urging said gauging element toward said gauging means for engagement therewith to signal that the coin is of said preselected diameter, as a first indicia of validity;

means for actuating said coin-controlled device when said gauging element is in engagement with said gauging means as said carrier reaches said actuating position;

means on said slide for sensing at least a second indicia of invalidity of the coin on said slide while said carrier is in said sensing range, and including a sensing element movable toward the coin and into a signaling position when said second indicia is present; and

a blocking element connected to said sensing element and movable by the sensing element into a blocking position to prevent engagement of said gauging element-with said gauging means when said second indicia is sensed, thereby to prevent actuation of said coin-controlled device regardless of the diameter of the coin. I

3. A coin-checking mechanism as defined in claim- 7 in which saidsensing means include a magnet disposed on one side of said carrier, means supporting said magnet for rotation with said carrier and for movement toward the latter in response to the presence of an object of magnetic material on said slide plate, said supporting means also supporting said blocking element to move the latter into said blocking position as said magnet moves toward the coin on said slide.

9. A coin-checking mechanism as defined in claim 8 in which said sensing means also include a feelerdisposed on one side of said carrier, means supporting said feeler for rotation with said carrier and for movement toward the latter in and into engagement with a coin'on said slide plate, and means for urging the feeler into pressing engagement with the central portion of the coin during movement of said carrier through said range, said feeler-supporting means also supporting a second blocking element to move the latter into a blocking position as said feeler moves past the side of said coin to indicate an opening in the coin.

10. In a-mechanism for checking coins for at least two indicia of validity and having an opening for receiving coins for actuating 'a coin-controlled device, the combination of:

a housing;

a carrier mounted on said housing for movement along a predetermined path from a start position through a range of inspection motion and an actuating position and back to said start position;

' element into said active position, regardless of the diameter of i a slide mounted on'said carrier for movement therewith along said path andhaving a seat positioned to receive a coin from said opening when said carrier is in said start position, said slide being movable along said carrier transversely of said path from a receiving position through at least one preselected gauging position and being biased toward said receiving position, and said seat having means thereon for holding different diameters of coins projecting different distances out of the seat;

means for moving said carrier along said path after a coin has been inserted in said seat through said opening;

a cam on said housing extending along the said path in spaced relation with said-seat and inclined toward the path of said seat to engage the projecting edge of a coin therein and force the coin and said slide along the carrier a distance correlated with the distance the coin projects beyond said seat, thereby to move said slide into said preselected position if the coin has a predetermined diameter and to move the slide into a different position if the coin has a different diameter;

an element movable relative to said carrier with said slide into different positions'indicative of the position of said slide along the carrier;

gauging means positioned for engagement with said element when said slide is in said preselected position at the end of said inspecting range, thereby to signal that the coin has said predetermined diameter, as a'first indicia of validity;

sensing means on said carrier for checliing the coin in said seat for a second indicia of validity as the carrier is moved through said inspecting range;and

means actuated bysaid sensing means to permit engagement of said element with said gauging meansonly if said second indicia is sensed and responsive to sensing of an invalid coin to prevent engagement of said element with said gauging means, regardless of the diameter of said com.

11. A coin-checking mechanism as defined in claim 10 in which said seat is a notch formed with a plurality of sets of opposed shoulders spaced different distances into the notch to hold coins of different selected diameters with the projecting sides thereof in different precisely located positions, said slide being movable through a plurality of preselected positions spaced different distances from said receiving position, and said actuating means being responsive to positioning of said slide in different ones of said positions at the end of said in specting range to move said actuating element into different active positions, whereby said device checks good coins of different values.

12. A coin-checking mechanism as defined in claim 10 in which said sensing means include a magnet disposed alongside the slide and the path of said seat duringmovement thereof, means supporting said magnet for movement toward said seat in response to movement of a coin composed of magnetic material past the magnet, and means responsive to such movement of the magnet to prevent movement of said actuating the coin.

13. A coin-checking mechanism as defined in claim 12 in which said magnet-supporting means is a rocket pivotally suported on said carrier on one side of said slide, said magnet being mounted on one end portion of said rocker for swinging movement toward the slide, and said one end portion being biased away from the slide.

14. A coinchecking mechanism as defined in claim 10 in which said sensing means include a feeler on said carrier disposed alongside the slide and the path of said seat during movement thereof, means supporting said feeler for movement toward said seat as a coin passes the feeler, means for urging the feeler against the side of each coin as the central portion thereof passes, and means responsive to movement of the feeler into the central portion of the coin to prevent movement of said actuating element into said active position, regardless of the diameter of the coin.

15. A coin-checking mechanism as defined in claim 14 in which said feeler-supporting means is a rocker pivotally supported on said carrier for swinging movement of one end portion thereof toward and away from said slide, said feeler comprising a finger projecting toward said slide from said one end portion away from said slide during initial transverse movement of the slide, and releasing the rocker to move toward the slide after a selected amount of such initial movement.

16. A coin-checking mechanism as defined in claim 15 in 

1. A coin-checking mechanism having an opening for receiving coins for actuating a coin-controlled device, said mechanism having, in combination: a housing; a carrier mounted on said housing for rotation about a preselected axis from a start position through a range of inspecting motion and an actuating position at the end of said range; a slide mounted on said carrier and guided thereon for movement of one end thereof from a receiving position radially inwardly through a plurality of different gauging positions, and having a seat in said one end for holding coins of different diameters with the outer edges of the coins in different radial positions; means holding said slide yieldably in said receiving position; a cam on said housing extending along the path of said one end in spaced relation with said seat and inclined toward the path to engage the coins and force the same radially inwardly to displace the slide a distance correlated with the size of the coin in the seat; an actuating lever pivotally mounted on said slide for displacement therewith and for rocking relative to the slide between first and second positions; gauging means having a plurality of gauging recesses which are disposed beside said path at the end of said inspecting range and are radially spaced according to the different positions of said slide with coins of different selected diameters; a gauging element on said lever radially aligned with one of said gauging recesses when said slide is displaced by a coin of one of said selected diameters; a spring urging said lever in a direction to insert said gauging element in an aligned recess; an actuating element on said lever rocking between inactive and active positions as said lever rocks between said first and second positions; a feeler mounted on said carrier for movement into said seat to detect a coin having a center hole; means for pressing said feeler toward said seat as said carrier moves through said inspecting range; a magnet mounted on said carrier for movement toward and away from said seat to detect a coin having magnetic material; means yieldably holding said magnet away from said seat; and means responsive to movement of either said magnet or said feeler toward said seat to prevent movement of said lever to said second position regardless of the amount of displacement of said slide, whereby said mechanism prevents actuation of the coin-controlled device by off-size slugs, washers and slugs containing magnetic material.
 2. A coin-checking mechanism as defined in claim 1 further including means for locking said carrier to said housing automatically in response to turning of said carrier in said inspecting range at a rate greater than a preselected rate.
 3. In a coin-checking mechanism having an opening for receiving coins for actuating a coin-controlled device, the combination of: a housing; a carrier mounted on said housing for rotation about a preselected axis from a start position through a range of inspecting motion and an actuating position and then back to said start position, said carrier having a body with one side movable broadwise during rotation of the carrier about said axis and with an outer end of said one side adjacent said opening when the carrier is in said start position; a slide plate disposed against said one side and guided for movement along said body radially inwardly from a receiving position in which one edge of the slide plate is adjacent said outer end, said slide plate being wider than the coins to be checked and being movable broadwise with said carrier about said axis; means defining a generally U-shaped contoured notch in said slide plate opening through said one edge and toward said coin-receiving opening, said notch having sidewalls formed with a plurality of pairs of laterally spaced, opposed gauging shoulders spaced different distances into The notch, said pairs of shoulders being positioned to engage given denominations of coins and support coins of the given denominations with the outer edges thereof in different preselected positions relative to said one edge of said slide plate; means yieldably holding said slide plate in said receiving position and permitting the slide plate to move radially inwardly along said carrier; means for rotating said carrier about said axis after insertion of a coin in said notch; a cam on said housing extending along the path followed by said one edge and inclined radially inwardly relative to said path to engage the outer edge of a coin in said notch and force the coin and said slide radially inwardly a distance determined by the position of the outer edge, said cam extending at least to said actuating position to hold said coin in said notch through said inspecting range and said actuating position; an actuating element movably mounted on said slide; actuating means responsive to the position of said slide to move said actuating element into one of a plurality of different active positions when said slide is spaced by one of a plurality of preselected distances from said receiving position at the end of said inspecting range; and means maintaining said actuating element out of said active positions when the slide is spaced any other distance from said receiving position thereby to prevent actuation of said device by coins having other than one of said preselected diameters.
 4. A coin-checking mechanism as defined in claim 3 further including a feeler disposed alongside a first side of said body and extending toward the position of a coin in said notch, a support mounting said feeler on said body for rotation therewith and for movement toward the side of the coin, means for urging the feeler into pressing engagement with the central portion of the coin during movement of said carrier through said range, and means responsive to movement of the feeler into a coin to prevent movement of said actuating element to said active position.
 5. A coin-checking mechanism as defined in claim 4 further including a magnet disposed on the opposite side of said body from said feeler means supporting said magnet for rotation with said body and for movement toward the body and for movement toward the body in response to the presence of an object of magnetic material in said notch, means yieldably holding said magnet away from the body, and means responsive to movement of the magnet toward the body to prevent movement of said actuating element to said active position.
 6. A coin-checking mechanism as defined in claim 3 further including an holdout element pivotably supported on said carrier for rocking between outwardly extended and inwardly retracted positions, and a toothed track on said housing extending along the path of said holdout element in said range, said holdout being balanced to remain in said inwardly retracted position but to rock automatically to said outwardly extended position and lock against said track in response to rotation of said carrier at a rate higher than a preselected rate.
 7. In a coin-checking mechanism having an opening for receiving coins for actuating a coin-controlled device, the combination of: a housing; a carrier mounted on said housing for rotation about a preselected axis from a start position through a range of inspecting motion and an actuating position at the end of said range; a gauging slide mounted on one side of said carrier for rotary movement therewith and for sliding longitudinally of the carrier, said slide having one end movable radially inwardly from a receiving position through at least one gauging position, and having means on said one end for receiving coins and supporting coins of different sizes with the outer ends thereof in different radial positions when said slide is in said receiving position; means holding said slide yieldably in said receiving position; a cam on said hoUsing for engaging a coin on said slide and forcing the same radially inwardly to displace the slide a distance determined by the diameter of the coin as said carrier is rotated through said inspecting range; a gauging element on said carrier displaced inwardly with said slide; gauging means in said housing aligned with said gauging element only when said slide is displaced a preselected distance indicating that the coin is of a preselected diameter; means urging said gauging element toward said gauging means for engagement therewith to signal that the coin is of said preselected diameter, as a first indicia of validity; means for actuating said coin-controlled device when said gauging element is in engagement with said gauging means as said carrier reaches said actuating position; means on said slide for sensing at least a second indicia of invalidity of the coin on said slide while said carrier is in said sensing range, and including a sensing element movable toward the coin and into a signaling position when said second indicia is present; and a blocking element connected to said sensing element and movable by the sensing element into a blocking position to prevent engagement of said gauging element with said gauging means when said second indicia is sensed, thereby to prevent actuation of said coin-controlled device regardless of the diameter of the coin.
 8. A coin-checking mechanism as defined in claim 7 in which said sensing means include a magnet disposed on one side of said carrier, means supporting said magnet for rotation with said carrier and for movement toward the latter in response to the presence of an object of magnetic material on said slide plate, said supporting means also supporting said blocking element to move the latter into said blocking position as said magnet moves toward the coin on said slide.
 9. A coin-checking mechanism as defined in claim 8 in which said sensing means also include a feeler disposed on one side of said carrier, means supporting said feeler for rotation with said carrier and for movement toward the latter in and into engagement with a coin on said slide plate, and means for urging the feeler into pressing engagement with the central portion of the coin during movement of said carrier through said range, said feeler-supporting means also supporting a second blocking element to move the latter into a blocking position as said feeler moves past the side of said coin to indicate an opening in the coin.
 10. In a mechanism for checking coins for at least two indicia of validity and having an opening for receiving coins for actuating a coin-controlled device, the combination of: a housing; a carrier mounted on said housing for movement along a predetermined path from a start position through a range of inspection motion and an actuating position and back to said start position; a slide mounted on said carrier for movement therewith along said path and having a seat positioned to receive a coin from said opening when said carrier is in said start position, said slide being movable along said carrier transversely of said path from a receiving position through at least one preselected gauging position and being biased toward said receiving position, and said seat having means thereon for holding different diameters of coins projecting different distances out of the seat; means for moving said carrier along said path after a coin has been inserted in said seat through said opening; a cam on said housing extending along the said path in spaced relation with said seat and inclined toward the path of said seat to engage the projecting edge of a coin therein and force the coin and said slide along the carrier a distance correlated with the distance the coin projects beyond said seat, thereby to move said slide into said preselected position if the coin has a predetermined diameter and to move the slide into a different position if the coin has a different diameter; an element Movable relative to said carrier with said slide into different positions indicative of the position of said slide along the carrier; gauging means positioned for engagement with said element when said slide is in said preselected position at the end of said inspecting range, thereby to signal that the coin has said predetermined diameter, as a first indicia of validity; sensing means on said carrier for checking the coin in said seat for a second indicia of validity as the carrier is moved through said inspecting range; and means actuated by said sensing means to permit engagement of said element with said gauging means only if said second indicia is sensed and responsive to sensing of an invalid coin to prevent engagement of said element with said gauging means, regardless of the diameter of said coin.
 11. A coin-checking mechanism as defined in claim 10 in which said seat is a notch formed with a plurality of sets of opposed shoulders spaced different distances into the notch to hold coins of different selected diameters with the projecting sides thereof in different precisely located positions, said slide being movable through a plurality of preselected positions spaced different distances from said receiving position, and said actuating means being responsive to positioning of said slide in different ones of said positions at the end of said inspecting range to move said actuating element into different active positions, whereby said device checks good coins of different values.
 12. A coin-checking mechanism as defined in claim 10 in which said sensing means include a magnet disposed alongside the slide and the path of said seat during movement thereof, means supporting said magnet for movement toward said seat in response to movement of a coin composed of magnetic material past the magnet, and means responsive to such movement of the magnet to prevent movement of said actuating element into said active position, regardless of the diameter of the coin.
 13. A coin-checking mechanism as defined in claim 12 in which said magnet-supporting means is a rocket pivotally supported on said carrier on one side of said slide, said magnet being mounted on one end portion of said rocker for swinging movement toward the slide, and said one end portion being biased away from the slide.
 14. A coin-checking mechanism as defined in claim 10 in which said sensing means include a feeler on said carrier disposed alongside the slide and the path of said seat during movement thereof, means supporting said feeler for movement toward said seat as a coin passes the feeler, means for urging the feeler against the side of each coin as the central portion thereof passes, and means responsive to movement of the feeler into the central portion of the coin to prevent movement of said actuating element into said active position, regardless of the diameter of the coin.
 15. A coin-checking mechanism as defined in claim 14 in which said feeler-supporting means is a rocker pivotally supported on said carrier for swinging movement of one end portion thereof toward and away from said slide, said feeler comprising a finger projecting toward said slide from said one end portion away from said slide during initial transverse movement of the slide, and releasing the rocker to move toward the slide after a selected amount of such initial movement.
 16. A coin-checking mechanism as defined in claim 15 in which said holding means comprise a holdout element projecting toward said slide from said rocker, and a bearing surface on said slide and cooperating with said holdout element to space said finger from the seat when the slide is in said receiving position, said bearing surface having a drop releasing said holdout element for movement of said rocker and said finger toward the seat and the coin therein after said selected initial movement. 